New project :: Summer dress

Posted on | Wednesday, April 8, 2009 | 6 Comments

I have been drooling over these dresses:

Bibi dress from Toast.

Confetti Whirl dress from Anthropologie.

Alas, they are over my budget in terms of a dress I can just throw on during those warm, dry summer days in Oregon. I'm going to try to make something similar between the two. I got some lovely silk last week. A bold and crazy pattern...

Pictures to come if it doesn't look to bad!

Week of Inspiration :: Day 5 (overdue!) :: Best All Around

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I never posted my last day of Inspiration week from weeks ago!

Elizabeth Dye! Need I say more. She was the talent behind my gorgeous wedding dress transformation. She owns and runs (yes, meet her in the flesh) a real shop, The English Dept., in Portland, OR. She designs and sews the most beautiful clothing. She also sells on Etsy! *sigh* She is superwoman - a total powerhouse! I don't think I know anyone that has it so together or who works as much as Elizabeth. I could go on and on (and on!) about how uber fabulous she is. What a great inspiration to us all! On top of it all, she is cool. Who uses the word "cool" anymore (makes me feel so 90s using that word)! That is how cool she is. One of those gals that always look effortlessly put together (she has the cutest outfits), can carry a lovely short hairstyle with ease (you always make me want to lob more of my hair off!) and makes you think, "I'd better work harder!" Check out her blog for more inspiration!

A lovely Elizabeth Dye dress and shrug (similar shrug available on Etsy).

I love this jacket she made - ruffles and poufy shoulders!

Oldie but I love it.
I'm doing a trade with Elizabeth and I couldn't be more excited (yes, I feel lucky!). I have a shrug addiction and I have a feeling this will be the shrug of all shrugs. I'll post pictures when it is ready!

Great news! :: New online store is almost here!

Posted on | Tuesday, April 7, 2009 | 4 Comments

I've been on overdrive for the last few months with so many projects that one important one kind of kept getting put on hold.
I just wanted to leak that a new fabulous store is in the works (okay, I announced it on my website... but I don't think I blogged about it!).
The new store will have lots of styles and options - including hair pieces, veils, headbands, a new bridal hat line, and some surprises. I have to get it streamlined and polished up at the moment, but it should be working very soon, so for anyone who has been unable to reach me through emails, hang tight and the new store might be just the thing! I'll make a major announcement when it is LIVE!

Just for kicks. :)

I never showed you...

Posted on | Friday, April 3, 2009 | 16 Comments

...the dress I made to wear to my sister's wedding in February. I ended up wearing a different blue dress, but I promised to post some pictures!

Silk chiffon overlay skirt and slightly shiny cotton faux corset top with some embellishing along the bustline. With a pretty bow in the back, of course!

Happy weekend!!

More from the photo shoot :: Lisa Warninger shots

Posted on | Wednesday, April 1, 2009 | 11 Comments

I gasped...
when I opened my email from Lisa Warninger and viewed these pictures. Gorgeous.
Lisa, thank you!!!

Thank you so much to everyone who commented on the previous post! I'm so excited to hear that the shoot is being well received. Expect to see more soon!

Photography credits: Lisa Warninger
Hair accessories: Twigs & Honey by Myra Callan
Lovely dresses: Elizabeth Dye at the English Dept.
Styling: Chelsea Fuss
Model: Anna Adams

Wedding dream team collaboration :: Photo shoot

Posted on | Tuesday, March 31, 2009 | 15 Comments

Whew! Yesterday was fantastic! I had a great time collaborating with some of my favorites (the best!) in the Portland wedding arena for a gorgeous photo shoot.

Dress extraordinaire, Elizabeth Dye
Photographer, Lisa Warninger
Stylist, Chelsea Fuss (of frolic!)
Accessories, Twigs & Honey (yours truly)
Model, Anna Adams
Location, Ace Hotel

These are just some of my photos... but more beautiful photos by Lisa should be coming in a few weeks.

More photos to come!
Thank you Elizabeth, Chelsea, Lisa, Anna, and Jaime!! I had a wonderful time!
Visit my Flickr photosream for more photos... HERE.

A new favorite piece :: just listed in my Etsy shop!

Posted on | Friday, March 27, 2009 | 5 Comments

This morning, I was reading one of my new favorite blogs, 100 Layer Cake, and I came across one of my favorite wedding inspiration boards ever... and what are the beginnings of possibly a favorite wedding dress too! I was instantly inspired:

The inspiration board was made by the talented Jenna for her upcoming wedding and the dress will be made by her sister, Sarah, of hello, handmade (board and sketch credits go to Jenna and Sarah).
I love Marie Antoinette fashion and have been inspired before. Also, you know that show stopper hat I made for the Novel Romance bridal show last month? It is featured top right of this blog in the logo photographed by the fabulous Lisa Warninger (whom you already know and if you don't... you need to know of!). I received so many inquiries about that hat (expect to see more of that hat in the future)! BUT... that hat took forever to make. I think I was up until 4am hand sewing it together... so naturally, I have to price it accordingly. Anyhow, with this new inspiration and with current interest in the hat, I've decided to make more for the fashionably adventurous bride (yay, right??). Here is the newest of a whole new line I'd like to build on that is much more friendly on the wallet:

This piece is completely hand sewn and features something new and something old... lots of luxurious silk, lace, just the right amount of sparkle and a pretty ostrich plume (I'm on an ostrich kick as of late - expect to see much more ostrich!). In my SHOP right now. Enjoy!

Just listed a couple new pieces in the Etsy shop...

Posted on | Thursday, March 26, 2009 | 2 Comments

Some lovely and flirty new pieces for my shop today...

Current clothing crush :: Lauren Moffatt

Posted on | Wednesday, March 25, 2009 | 3 Comments

I recently found Lauren Moffatt's work through {this is glamorous} blog and I am just swooning. Visit the new Lauren Moffatt online shopping site HERE.

I love androgynous looks.

This dress is my absolute favorite.
Go to this is glamorous blog for your chance to win a Lauren Moffatt dress!
Photo credits: Lauren Moffatt

Ever have one of "those" days?

Posted on | Tuesday, March 24, 2009 | 2 Comments

I was feeling a little down today... a little under the weather and Indy has been too (she has an appt. later today). I was so happy to see these pretty blooms from Matt, when he came home for lunch earlier. It's gray out, but these really brighten my day. I love you, honey!

I love the color of these hypericum berries. They remind me of this stunning and delicious dress.

Matt is too cute. He normally picks out the flowers at the shop and tells the lady to put them into a vase with fillers. He likes to pick out all the pretty blooms... regardless of the color coordination. I can just picture him now, "this one is pretty... that one is too... ooh, Myra would like this..."
He is going to hate me for typing this, but I thought it was too funny/cute. The other day, I was just exhausted and not in the mood to bake, but he was wanting sweets and all we had in the cupboards was a box of lemon bar mix. He baked it! I never even attempted lemon bars. While they were in the oven, I was going to cut his hair (I always cut Matt's hair), and he was like, "oh, hang on. We had better wait until the lemon bars are finished baking." ...while keeping a close eye on the oven. I don't know why I find this so cute. They were pretty tasty when finished! Previously, while going through the cupboards, I found a box of cake mix. And I thought, "I didn't buy this..." And then it dawned on me that Matt did and he just put it in there like, "oh, the box will just bake itself," as in if it is in there, Myra will automatically make them. So the lemon bars were a huge step for him!

Puppies :: They grow up so fast

Posted on | Monday, March 23, 2009 | 6 Comments

Just some more pictures of Indy. She has grown so quickly! She's about 6.5 months now. Also some before and after photos:

Today, she hasn't been feeling well. Poor pup!

Orders List :: Sorry for the delay!

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I'm back from vacation and am doing a quick and dirty post on all the orders on my queue. If you have discussed an order with me and do not see your name on this list, please get in touch with me (convo or email). Many of these names have multiple pieces, and I've recorded it on the master list. Also, many of these names are the first name and last initial as they were initiated off Etsy and I am protecting privacy. I'm also preparing for several photo shoots this month and boutique orders and will have those pieces ready asap! Thank you so very much for your patience!! Here goes:

1. thoang
2. Claudikc
3. jillianchong
4. tiff7000
5. jennmacivor
6. KateC.
7. ciaobella83
8. orchidlilly2222
9. jesseandgrace
10. teresa2020
11. esgal
12. hayley1601
13. blacksheepdesign
14. jenacat
15. mitchell821
16. Fran4362
17. bethharley
18. thedamaris
19. corbin1234
20. tahoebound2009
21. katielouu
22. ahhmee
23. copel008
24. blacmagik21
25. kooki8
26. StephanieS.
27. MelanieS.
28. nancy323323
29. ashleygranados
30. jessbruin
31. lamchops
32. HannahR.
33. n3lla
34. boycooper
35. ringobubblegirl
36. emilyjnelson
37. Mavouree
38. jkatlee
39. deen1213
40. twiggyforest
41. jessmark
42. beehandmade
43. kimatusc
44. SooN.
45. jlprellop
46. joanna056
47. BeccaG.
48. kdominelli
49. grlofthenorthcountry
50. myra1210
51. cdodson
52. boogan
53. brownkatharine
54. laurelnicole
55. LesaC.
56. JamieB.
57. KristaM.
58. ambutton
59. misshippo
60. whitcalgal
61. em969
62. jikiankc
63. fayelouise
64. zoyichka
65. hopechristine
66. botodesigns
67. DeannaM.
68. skinnerpa
69. tigerbaby25
70. KristaJ.
71. NicoleB.

Happy Monday!!

Gorgeous bridal hair :: Styles on B

Posted on | Thursday, March 19, 2009 | 6 Comments

I don't know why I didn't do this post sooner!
If you are a bride in the New York area and are searching for a stylist for your perfect wedding hair, visit Stacy of Styles on B. On top of being ultra sweet, Stacy is amazingly talented at creating stunning, sophisticated and feminine wedding hairstyles. I need an excuse to go to New York to have my hair styled by her! I found out about Stacy from a previous bride I worked with (remember Molly and Bill's gorgeous wedding?). Some of my favorites:

...and a twigs & honey piece!

View more of her beautiful work HERE.

Cheap treats :: Lovely thread earrings

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I just discovered charsbeadcreations on Etsy. I love her whimsical thread chandelier earrings:

I immediately snatched up two pairs:
Click here, and here

Guess how much??? I asked Matt, who was sitting next to me and his guess, "$50? Those are really intricate." Nope... only $7 per pair!!! AND $0 for shipping. Free shipping! Hop over to her shop and snatch up a pair for spring!
Photo credits: charsbeadcreations

Vacation shoes

Posted on | Wednesday, March 18, 2009 | 2 Comments

J. Crew has a great "final sale" right now on these fantastic sandals. I just got them this past week for our vacation and I LOVE them. I am usually nervous to order shoes online because I'm so picky about fit, but these are so comfy. Much more so than flip flops. Plus, if you buy right now through March 21st, you get an extra 20% off by entering the code "extra20" at checkout. I got them for $49.99... but head over right now to get an additional $10 off!

Matt said they were "sexy"! Bonus!
Photo credits: J. Crew

In my spare time...

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... I try to "think" I know a thing or two about computers. puah ha ha... ha *slight sigh*

Somethings are easy and the easy things are hard. For instance, my lack of a mouse has helped me to heighten my keyboard shortcut skills to the point where I scare myself when I get into a crazy rhythm of ctrls and alts. But other things... yikes.

If this blog looks a bit janky over the next week or two, forgive me as my fingers fumble over the keyboard. I'm trying to make it prettier, I swear.

For real pretty things, visit Becky Kelso's website for understated, yet completely ga-ga gorgeous jewelry.... at the very least, to tie you over while my blog is on the fritz.

I love every single piece on her site. I want it all.
Found through Snippet & Ink
Photo credits: Becky Kelso